VIDEO: Burglars jump into River Thame in escape attempt

Misu Nanu, Losif Imbrisca, Miron George and Vlad Mihai were jailed last week at Oxford Crown Court after admitting using a crowbar to break into Byrnes Dental Laboratory in Wheatley through a window on January 27.

The video, which was shared by Thames Valley Police this afternoon, shows two of the men taking off their socks before jumping into the River Thame.

The footage, taken by the National Police Air Service shows the pair swimming and then getting out and making their way across fields before they are arrested by officers with police dogs.

The gang stole £80,000 worth of dental scanners from the laboratory, but an alarm alerted the owner who called police.

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Investigating officer Detective Constable Jamie Lawes of Abingdon CID, said: “I am pleased that we have brought these four men to justice and they will now serve prison sentences for their crime.

“They all attempted to evade capture by jumping into the River Thames, but with the help of our colleagues from NPAS, we arrested and charged all four on the same day.

One of the men being arrested. Screenshot form NPAS and TVP video

“Burglary is an invasive crime, whether committed at residential properties or businesses.

“Thames Valley Police is committed to investigating such offences and bringing offenders to justice.”

At a hearing on February 28, it had been claimed the burglaryhad been a crime of opportunity.

However, Judge Nigel Daily did not accept that the high-value theft happened by sheer coincidence.

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He said: “You weren’t simply out for a walk that night – you were a gang with the intent to steal.”

George, 35, and Mihai, 39, who both live at a caravan site in Highfield Park in Arborfield, Wokingham, and Imbrisca, 45, of Burchen Grove in Luton, were each sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Nanu, 41, of Atkinson Road in Newham was sentenced to 14 months in prison.